Anyone who has watched Dallas Wings rookie Azzi Fudd knows how gifted the 23-year-old is offensively. But, as has been the case for most of her young career up to this point, there is a whole lot more to her game as well.
Although the 2026 No. 1 overall pick has only made two starts as a pro in her first eight career games, which is all part of a larger development plan for Dallas, Fudd has been showing more and more signs that the defensive details in her game are starting to show up at the WNBA level.
Monday’s 79-56 win over the Seattle Storm was a shining example, with Fudd logging a team-high 24 minutes. The Dallas guard’s 5-foot-11 frame proved to be an effective tool on both ends of the floor, as she finished the game with nine points, one rebound, one steal and one block. Though Fudd, who is known to be a more efficient shooter, struggled offensively as she made just one of her four 3-point attempts, she was among the Wings’ most impactful defenders throughout the contest.
After the game, Azzi Fudd sat down with Amy Audibert for a brief postgame interview, where she reflected on her development on the defensive side of the ball.
“I really think defense is mostly effort, and so just having that defensive mentality,” Fudd said.
She also appeared surprised by the notion that teams like to target her defensively.
“I’ve been told that teams like to pick on me. I don’t know why. I feel like I play pretty hard. So I just try to make things difficult. Everyone in this league is extremely talented and can get whatever they want most nights, so it’s just my job to make things hard for them,” she added.
Azzi Fudd Playing Key Role as Wings Extend Winning Streak to Three Straight Games
The Wings have now won three straight games for the first time this season, and Azzi Fudd has been crucial during that stretch. She scored a career-high 24 points in a 91-76 win over the New York Liberty and followed it up with 22 points in a 95-87 victory over the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces.
Whether Fudd’s recent form will be enough to earn her a permanent spot in the starting lineup remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: she is going to continue being relied upon to help spark the Wings on both offense and defense.
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